[Histonet] Alcohol Disposal--a few choices

From:

Cheryl

Hi Samuel-
This kind of issue usually starts with the water department in your district. Some places have enough water going through their system that this kind of waste can go down the drain. It is considered safe and cost effective ($0!!) because of the dilution factors. Hospitals use HUGE quantities of water so they might even make an exception if it's not in the base policies. Before you contact your water district, talk with your risk management and environmental services people--they may already know or might want to talk to the water people for you.
If you end up not being able to dump it, (and the water company can usually answer you within a few days) you may want to consider recycling. BR and one other company (??) can do a cost analysis with just a few questions to determine if this won't SAVE your department a buncha bucks (including your people's time in the equasion.) These systems are SO effective the end result is sometimes better than the original solutions you got from your suppliers. You can do just alcohols or both Alc. and Xylenes. These systems are infinitely more useable and safer than they were 20 years ago.
The most expensive options are usually waste haulers and they will charge you more for certain contaminants. Xylene, biologicals, etc. So when you get a quote from a waste hauler or incinerator, ask if they are going to recycle it themselves (should get you a lower price) or burn it, and any additional cost for other cross-contaminants from your stain line or processors. Being a tree-hugger from way back, I always chose the recycle method when it is fiscally responsible (and it usually is).
Hope this helps!
Cheryl Kerry, HT(ASCP)
Full Staff Inc.
Staffing the AP Lab by helping one tech at a time.
admin@fullstaff.org
281.852.9457 o
281.883.7704 c
"Atoska S. Gentry" wrote:
>Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 09:47:25 -0600
>To: Samuel.Jones2@med.va.gov
>From: "Atoska S. Gentry"
>Subject: Re: [Histonet] Alcohol Disposal
>
>
>Hello, our campus' Risk Management Department picks up our waste Alcohol
>along with other chemical waste. I'm not sure of their means of disposal.
>Best wishes. Atoska
>
>
>At 09:08 AM 2/8/2006, you wrote:
>>
>>
>>Hello All:
>>
>>
>>
>>I've been asked by my peers to see how labs are collecting and disposing of
>>their waste alcohol. Thoughts please. Thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>Samuel E. Jones, MS, HT(ASCP)HTL, QIHC
>>
>>Supervisor, Anatomic Pathology
>>
>>VA North Texas Health Care System
>>
>>4500 South Lancaster Road, 113
>>
>>Dallas, Texas 75216
>>
>>Phone: 214-857-0659
>>
>>e-mail: samuel.jones2@med.va.gov
>>
>>
>>
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